An NBA team’s active regular season roster consists of 12 players, with an additional three players relegated to the inactive list, which is essentially a taxi squad. With the signing of Yaroslav Korolev, the seat map on the Clippers’ charter is filling up quickly. Not counting Shaun Livingston, the Clippers are carrying eleven contracts into Summer League play – nine of them forwards or centers. #12 will be the Clippers co-starting point guard, be it Jason Hart, Steve Francis, or Darnell Valentine. That leaves three vacancies – a third string PG, and two other shooters.

With the emergence of the web, the NBA Summer Leagues has elevated its profile, as basketball junkies [yeah, that means you] are desperate for any kind of off-season informational fix. For an NBA team, Summer League allows it to [a] get some younger rostered players/signed draftees some minutes in something that approximates an NBA game [Paul Davis, Al Thornton] [b] help fill out those remaining roster spots by examining players whose rights it owns [Jared Jordan, Guillermo Diaz] or guys who have been orbiting around the franchise but don’t have a guaranteed contract [Will Conroy], [c] punish young established players who underperformed last season [Chris Kaman], and [d] find some potential diamonds in the rough among the ranks of the undrafted [Mohamed Abukar, Mike Gansey], James Singleton being the best example in recent years.

By all accounts, Al Thornton had a nice debut in the Clippers' first Summer League game last night, leading all scores with 24 points. He snatched eight boards and blocked a couple of shots. I want to reiterate that Thornton is a tremendous athlete whose energy makes him incapable of shifting into low gear on a basketball court. In the Summer League’s pick-up style, he’s going to be a force.

Since the Clippers desperately need personnel who can shoot the ball from beyond 17 feet, it’s no surprise that spot up shooters like Gansey and Abukar [a destitute man’s Rashard Lewis] are picking up considerable minutes. Abukar scored 19 points on 7-11 shooting, hitting all three 3PA. Gansey shot 2-4 from beyond for eight total points.

In the battle for the third PG slot on the roster, Diaz went 7-16 from the field for 15 points and chipped in three assists. Delayed three hours in DEN, Clipperblog missed the game, but the play-by-play indicated that two of Diaz’s seven makes were of the layup/dunk variety. Jordan accumulated a very Jordan line – five assists on 2-4 shooting, with five rebounds, and only two turnovers [impressive for a PG in a Summer League game during which turnovers are absurdly plentiful]. Conroy had 8 points in 12 minutes and didn’t record an assist.

Clipperblog has yet to discuss Paul Davis this offseason, but the big guy is becoming one of the most curious players on the Clippers roster. Just before the draft, APBR-metric guru John Hollinger unveiled a rookie rating system for college players that he’d been working on for quite a while. Not only is his prospectus – published on ESPN.com on June 26 – great reading, but its prescience is uncanny when you look at the past five drafts. In short, guys who perform well in Hollinger’s system have, by and large, gone on to have solid careers. For instance, Hollinger’s formula determined Carlos Boozer to be the best NBA prospect among 2002 draftees even though he was chosen 26th overall. Hollinger had Josh Howard, Kyle Korver, and David West all ranked much higher than their actual draft position. In 2004, Hollinger had Luol Deng listed as the top prospect in the draft.

Of note to Clippers fans is Paul Davis’ ranking in the 2006 Draft: 7th best, even though he was chosen 28th overall by the Clips. We saw glimpse last season of Davis’ mobility around the basket, his sound footwork, and relative quickness for a big white guy -- even though his rebounding rate is just okay. More important, though, Davis appeared a lot more confident and oriented on the court after the All-Star Break, though his best game was clearly that awful Brent Barry torching by the Spurs in December. Last night in 31 minutes, Davis scored 18 points with 11 rebounds and a block, with only two turnovers. That’s a solid outing in any context.

CORRECTION: Paul Davis' contract is non-guaranteed, and the Clippers have the option of waiving him before July 15 -- though that's improbable.

Posted Wednesday, October 29 at 3:20PM

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If Diaz is supposed to be competing for a point guard position, he surely didn't prove he could lead a team. Jared Jordan on the other hand, proved he can lead a team, and as I read in another article, he would have had more assists if his teamates had made the shots. what the Clippers need is a good point who can distribute the ball like Jared, the shots will come.

the game is up on nba.com now. Initial thoughts:
1. Jordan's smart...but nowhere near quick enough to make the team. I repeat THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT HE'S A SUCCESSFUL NBA POINT GUARD...he had great court vision and always made the smart play, but it didn't seem like he could shoot, and he couldn't consistently get by his defender.
2. Diaz is quick, but nowhere near smart enough to play next year (his decisionmaking and ballhandling skills need to improve).
3. Thornton can play...but REALLY needs to improve his ball handling skills if he's gonna be an NBA SF (he'll likely be turnover prone once he gets to the league, as he often only takes one or two dribbles before either driving or pulling up. Thus, he rushes into decisions and occasionally puts himself in bad situations. HIS JUMPER LOOKED GREAT THOUGH!...he scored a surprisingly large number of points off midrange jumpers)
4. The big white dude can play a little. nice "finesse" game. Can't wait to see more of him.

sometimes it's not always about making shots, but leading the team. the NBA is full of guys who can shoot the ball, what they lack is "pure" point guards like Jared who can distribute the ball and make the team play better as a whole. why do you think Steve Nash is so successful, because he can pass the ball and thinks ahead. the pass first mentalitly seems to be successful in the NBA, so therefore Jared has a chance. granted he isn't as fast but I think the Clippers team could make up for what he lacks. if he is on a team with good scorers he will not need to be as worried about making shots.

watch the game...he's not going to be able to create for his teammates. Steve Nash is the best point in the league because he's ALWAYS a threat to score...many of his assists come because of that. Even J-Kidd is purely a decision maker...he forces you to guard him and gets his teammates open.

just you wait and see.
yes he is slower.
but how much have you actually watched him?
yes he is going to have to prove himself a lot. but why would he have been selected 45th in the second round if he didn't have potential and was too slow? green or strawberry could have been picked..but they weren't. jordan's pass first mentality is what I'm comparing to Nash.yes, Jordan is slower and doesn't have a perfect shot. but his shot can come along.but we'll just have to wait and see.

I read this on a blog, and the time has come to face the inevitable, I have to agree with the writer. We must give up our heart and soul or suffer a slow and painful death.

“The Clips should realize that they are going nowhere. They're starting backcourt has an average age of 35 years of age, and Cassell has shown some significant signs of aging and unfortunately Livingston may never play again. It will take them at least 2-3 years to be back at a competitive level, and that's ONLY IF they make a trade to get young talent. If they don't, they will be like the Warriors Pre 2006. Not good enough for the Playoffs, but not bad enough to get a top lottery pick. NO MAN'S LAND!!!

A trade of Elton Brand, Quinton Ross and a 2nd round pick for Brandan Wright, Monta Ellis, Patrick O'Bryant, and Saras Jasekevicius would give them a young nucleus with some playoff experience, not to mention Kaman in the middle. A sign and trade of Pietrus for Cassell can also be done. In this trade the Clips not only get young playoff experienced talent, but an expiring contract in Saras ( who's has yet to be given an ample opportunity) and another almost expiring contract in Adonal Foyle.

Warriors will get Brand who can be the answer to the Warriors interior, a 1-year rental on Sam Cassell, the LA Clippers mal-content Quinton Ross, and a 2nd round pick. ”

If they attempt a last minute improbable playoff push this season, they run the risk of losing Cassell to retirement or free agency at the end of the season receiving nothing in return and they run the risk of being a mediocre team. Mediocre, but not bad enough to earn a top lottery pick in the draft to replace Cassell and Livingston. I honestly cannot see a better trade scenario for both teams.

There is also a plethora of superstar PG’s in next year’s draft. Includin OJ Mayo, Gordon, Lawson, Collison, Bayless, etc next season but they are only available if they really tank the season and get a top 5 pick.

This trade will obviously help the Clips, the only question is will the Warriors bite as they have other optins: they can land Garnett, trade for a big elsewhere, trade for Camby, or stand pat.”

Unfortunately, we have to blow the team up now. When we start talking about Brevin Knight as a key free agent pick up that will somehow take us over the top and take Jason Hart's place. WE HAVE PROBLEMS. Instead of risking losing brand for nothing next year, we should get something for him.